The increase was driven by the rise in prices for produce like eggs and vegetables which have been driven up by heavy rain and high temperatures over the summer.

The August figure, which strong, is still well below the government’s target of 3.0 percent.

After several years of persistent deflation, producer prices rebounded in 2016 and early 2017.

The PPI has benefited from the government’s campaign to reduce excess capacity in the industrial sector, particularly among state-owned steel firms and cement manufacturers, which has reduced supply and boosted prices.

“Commodity prices are the main driver,” lifting PPI, said Wang Qiufeng, an analyst at China Chengxin International Rating Co. in Beijing.

Factory have also been boosted by buoyant domestic demand which is being stoked by China’s booming infrastructure projects.